[ezcol_1half] In an effort to recognize and encourage pro bono locally, the Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee has developed its Pro Bono Pledge to increase access to our legal system by expanding pro bono legal services to address the significant unmet need for legal assistance among low-income and underrepresented individuals and families in Illinois. This page contains information about the Tenth Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono Pledge, and from this page, you can also take the Pledge on behalf of your law firm or corporate legal department.[/ezcol_1half][ezcol_1half_end]
- Letter from Committee Chair, Judge Lisa Wilson
- Pro Bono Pledge Signatories
- Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Pledge FAQs
- Download the Pledge[/ezcol_1half_end]
Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Pledge
This pledge reflects the principle that members of the legal profession have an obligation to provide legal services to those who are under-represented in or lack access to the legal system. The preamble to the Supreme Court of Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct provides, in pertinent part, as follows:
It is the responsibility of those licensed as officers of the court to use their training, experience and skills to provide services in the public interest for which compensation may not be available. An individual lawyer’s efforts in these areas is evidence of the lawyer’s good character and fitness to practice law.
Thirty-three percent of Illinoisans, or just over 4 million people, fall at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. Yet, there are only approximately 350 full-time legal aid attorney across Illinois. Despite this drastic need and the limited resources, in 2012, legal aid funding was cut by the state twenty percent and federal funding cut fifteen percent. Locally, the Tenth Judicial Circuit Courts continue to see an increase in the number of pro se litigants in civil legal matters. Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. is the local legal aid organization providing free civil legal services to the poor in the Tenth Judicial Circuit, but they alone are unable to meet the demand for legal services.
Attorneys in the Tenth Judicial Circuit have had a longstanding history of providing pro bono legal services to those in need. This commitment is reflected in the bylaws of the Peoria County Bar Association, which states it is the responsibility of every active member to represent indigent persons in civil legal matters. The rapidly growing gap between the legal needs of those who cannot afford legal services and the resources available to meet those needs must be bridged, and pro bono lawyers are extremely necessary to closing that gap. Now is the time to build upon and enhance the strong pro bono foundation within the Tenth Judicial Circuit.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 756(f) defines pro bono as legal services to persons of limited means; legal services to charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental or educational organizations in matters designed to address the needs of persons of limited means; legal services to charitable, religious, civic or community organizations in furtherance of their organizational purpose; or training intended to benefit legal aid organizations or lawyers who provide pro bono services.” In recognition of the responsibility of all members of the legal profession – from corporate lawyers to law firm lawyers to solo practitioners to legal staff – to increase access to our legal system, we are asking law firms and corporate legal departments to pledge the following:
- To encourage their attorneys and legal staff to provide pro bono legal services and in doing so provide an environment which is hospitable to the rendition of such services;
- To designate a primary pro bono point of contact within the firm or corporate legal department;
- To consider adopting a written pro bono policy; and
- To recognize attorneys and legal staff who participate in pro bono services, as appropriate.
If you wish to take the pledge, fill out the form below. Please direct any questions to:
Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee
Honorable Lisa Wilson
Associate Judge
Peoria County Courthouse
324 Main Street, Room 210
Peoria, Illinois 61602
(309) 672-6905
lwilson@peoriacounty.org